Lectures notes for 2010 - KTH

Generations of technology versus
generative technology
Today there are lots of discussion of future communication systems, such as the
cellular variants Theo Kanter calls πG systems 1 , next generation internet, … .
There is even discussion of if there will be a 4th generation of cellular systems or
if we will see the end of generational architectures and systems.
For some additional insights on the future of networking, see Patrik Fältström’s
“Future of the Internet”[5] and Jonathan Zittrain’s The Future of the Internet --
And How to Stop It [6] (see http://futureoftheinternet.org/ ).
Note that Jonathan Zittrain’s book focuses on the fact that upto this point the
Internet can be seen as a generative system/technology (i.e., provides high
leverage, is highly adaptable, is easy to master, the technology and tools are
readily accessible, and there is high transferability {developments can easily be
transferred to another user]) - see [6], page 70-73.
1. Because 3 < π < 4 and π is an irrational number.
Maguire Generations of technology versus generative technology 13: 3 of 91
maguire@kth.se 2010.03.21 Internetworking/Internetteknik